Minwax Polycrylic

[Grossman56]

A Master G59

[bobtheman]

How much weight do you think the minwax adds?

[Russ]

I use at least two coats on all my planes and I've never noticed any flying difference. Just because Home Depot changed brands, I'm now using the Varethane/Rustoleum brand in a Satin finish and it adds just the smallest amount of shine but helps with hangar rash and staining too...like running through muddy water, etc. It also covers up the foam and helps with problems with hot sun a bit...a real problem here in Texas! I just use a 2" cheap foam brush and it dries streak free. It's probably my imagination but I think it moves the air "smoother" too ;)

[Gilatrout]

I too use it on my planes. As a prep coat prior to repainting and as a finish coat to seal the paint and decals. I also use it with lightweight fiberglass to strengthen weak areas or in some cases repair damage.

The water based polyacrylic is very light and I've not seen any issues using it on any of my planes so far.

For sealing I use the spray
For prep and glassing I use the can and a foam brush. Then wet sand until smooth

[F22trainer]

This fuselage was completed with Warbird Colors paints and Varthane Gloss from a spray can - the water base stuff! Under the paint is 6 coats of Polycryllic over .5 oz. fiberglass cloth. Mostly done with a foam brush and wet sanding. 3 coats of primer over the Polycryllic. The first 2 coats of color went on with a foam brush and the last 2 coats got sprayed with a detail / touch up gun. All the plastic parts - lined with fiberglass cloth and Polycryllic- 3 coats.
I still have enough left of that quart can I started with, to do a couple foam birds. My T-6, PT-17, Carbon Cub, and 2 Adagio Gliders also got 2 coats out of that same quart.

[Elbee]

F22T, Looks fantastic. Best, LB

[F22trainer]

Thanx El Bee!

[Grossman56]

How much weight do you think the minwax adds?

Well, I have, let me count, six coats of clear gloss on the P-40, then sanded then a couple more, so yeah, about eight coats, minus what came off when I wet sanded. Took care of the gatoring!! As for extra weight.....don't tell the plane.... My P-40 flies just as well as it ever did. Think of it this way, it's a lot lighter than a sound system..

Grossman56

[t33jetman]

I put 8 coats of MinW ax on my A10 ( of course lots of wet sanding too), then primer and paint , then clear coar to stop the gator look.
I saw no difference to me in flight performance , just had to adjust my CG because of the paint. Flies great.

[t33jetman]

[Dnn]

How well have the surfaces held up over time? Have they managed to stay smooth?

thank you

[thisguy65]

I've switch to Rustoleum Spar urethane (water base) with the UV protection. Hoping it stops the bubbling of the foams in dark areas.

It does brush one smoother and easier than min-wax.

[t33jetman]

My A10 with 6 coats of Minwax is doing very well , but, I don't let any of my plane just set in direct sunlight Light.

Keep your planes in the shade or cover them at all times when not flying. I think the hot air will also gator a plane, just like hitting it with a heat gun will.

[Grossman56]

I agree with T33, get them under shade whenever possible, having said that, the UV protectant in either Minwax or Spar Varathane really helps a lot.
At Nefi, some of the fellows do just the opposite...


And for some reason, fold their gear up as well, that tarmac has to be at least 100 degrees:Sweating::Thinking::(:Scared:

Nope, can't figure it.

Grossman56

[Hardway]

:Thinking::Thinking::Thinking::Thinking::Thinking: :Confused::Confused::Confused::Confused::Silly::Dr ooling:;)

[Mad Baron]

Got some Minwax Spar urethane today I am going to use it on my Carbon Z Cessna and a couple of other planes I have.

[Grossman56]

Good to hear MB, it'll save you from the infamous gator!

Grossman56

[thisguy65]

I put two coats on and still gator in dark areas. Was partly cloudy 68 degrees F

[Grossman56]

Hi TG:
Are you using Minwax Spar Varathane Pro Water base?
I've used this since last Spring when I tripped across it and for a gloss finish, you just can't beat it. My Bearcat is Navy Blue and with a few, at least three coats on it and I've had minimal gatoring, having said that, when she's not flying she's parked in the shade and not on the tarmac, the sun can still get through a sheet or covering, granted its better than nothing. On my Tigercat, which is light silver grey, all I have to do is look in the cockpit to see the difference. The whole fleet got a couple of new coats this year and I could see the difference. With the flat or Matte finish, even though I have quite a few coats on them, I never trust them to direct sunlight when they're not flying.

Grossman56

[thisguy65]

Hi TG:
Are you using Minwax Spar Varathane Pro Water base?
I've used this since last Spring when I tripped across it and for a gloss finish, you just can't beat it. My Bearcat is Navy Blue and with a few, at least three coats on it and I've had minimal gatoring, having said that, when she's not flying she's parked in the shade and not on the tarmac, the sun can still get through a sheet or covering, granted its better than nothing. On my Tigercat, which is light silver grey, all I have to do is look in the cockpit to see the difference. The whole fleet got a couple of new coats this year and I could see the difference. With the flat or Matte finish, even though I have quite a few coats on them, I never trust them to direct sunlight when they're not flying.

Grossman56

Rust-Oleum Varathane 250241H... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XML4VE...p_mob_ap_share


My truck had s cover over the bed. From the time I set it in the bed, went in the shop to get the other bird it started gatoring. When not flying I put them under the truck